The National Volunteer Fire Council's heart-healthy firefighter program partnered with L&T Health and Fitness to launch a new health and fitness advocate initiative. This program is designed to combat the leading cause of line-of-duty firefighter deaths — heart attack — by creating health and fitness advocates within fire and EMS departments.

Fire and EMS personnel who are interested in health and fitness and have the ability to lead and motivate others are sought to take part in one of two health and fitness advocate workshops. Participation is limited to no more than two individuals from each department and individuals should have the support of department leadership.

The two-day workshops are free and will be held at the NVFC headquarters in Greenbelt, Md., near Washington, D.C. The workshops will focus on the basic principles behind developing a sound health and fitness program and train first responders to become advocates within their department. As Health and Fitness Advocates, they will encourage and motivate their fellow fire and emergency personnel to adopt heart-healthy behaviors.

Registration forms are available at www.healthy-firefighter.org. Applicants must specify which of the two sessions they wish to attend: July 19-20 or Aug. 9-10.